Reader's View: Trump spreading fear of immigrants

Yet President Donald Trump attempts to create fear and loathing toward people different from ourselves. He recently told FBI graduates that other countries "give us their worst people." Additionally, he proclaimed that immigrants from Haiti "all have AIDS" and suggested that they and other dark-skinned people come from "s---hole countries."

Actually, these immigrants are more educated than many U.S.-born citizens and other immigrants.

In addition, Trump's administration announced it would eliminate temporary protected status for those from Haiti, Nicaragua, and the Sudan, and for the 200,000 who fled El Salvador due to deadly gang violence. Others, too, from Central America and elsewhere fear for their lives if deported.

Trump seems not to realize that many immigrants coming here as undocumented workers are seeking the same basic freedoms that brought many of our ancestors here — and to escape war, persecution, and/or poverty. Many bring children with them, who, through no fault of their own, are now in danger of being sent away as young adults from the only country they've ever known. If Trump doesn't soften his stance soon and modify his unworkable idea about a wall, these "dreamers" could be torn away from the very society they helped build.

Trump also has cruelly tried to shut out immigrants from predominantly Muslim countries. Having been thoroughly vetted, many of these immigrants have much to offer our society in the way of talent, work ethic, and skills.

We must take great care that we not allow racism and bigotry to overtake our senses and moral courage as a nation. This is not who we are.

Patricia Richard-Amato

Duluth